Eurazeo to Acquire 45% of Moncler

PARIS - Eurazeo, Remo Ruffini, Carlyle and Brands Partners 2 announced today that they have reached an agreement for Eurazeo to acquire a 45% stake in Moncler, the luxury apparel group, for a price of €418m. Remo Ruffini, the Chairman and Creative Director, will retain a 32% stake in the Company and Carlyle a 17.8% stake.

The Moncler Group manages five brands: Moncler, Henry Cotton’s, Marina Yachting, Coast Weber & Ahaus and a 18CRR81 Cerruti licence. Founded in 1952 in Grenoble, as a technical brand rooted in the iconic down jacket, Moncler is today one of the leading brands in luxury outerwear. Moncler has a network of 55 stores in Europe, Asia and North America as well as a developed wholesale network. In 2010 the Group had a global turnover of €429m, after sustained growth over the last 4 years, and over 1000 employees.

Eurazeo intends to fully support the strategy of Remo Ruffini and his management team: further expanding geographic reach notably in China and the United States, opening new stores in top-end locations, launching online sales, widening product offering with new collections and an expanded range. All this is targeted towards capitalizing on Moncler’s growing recognition as a global luxury brand. In addition the Group will continue to develop and realize the full potential of the other brands it owns and manages.

Patrick Sayer, Chairman of Eurazeo’s Executive Board, declared: “We have been looking to invest in the luxury sector for a long time and we are delighted that the trust we built with Moncler and its shareholders has allowed us to seize this unique opportunity to invest in one of the best brand of the sector.”

Virginie Morgon, Executive Board Member of Eurazeo added: “We are very pleased to become the main shareholder in Moncler, an outstanding company in the luxury sector with a very strong heritage and significant opportunities for development. As a partner, we will support Remo Ruffini and the management team of Moncler in order to bring Moncler to the next level: a globally recognized luxury brand.”

Remo Ruffini, Chairman & Creative Director of Moncler, commented: “Eurazeo completely shares our long-term view and our ambition to establish Moncler as a leading luxury apparel group. Eurazeo will contribute, together with Carlyle, to strengthen the company, support our successful strategy and capture the full potential of international growth opportunities we have ahead of us. The listing of the company remains a strategic objective and we will continue to monitor opportunities in the public markets.

Marco De Benedetti, Co-Head of Carlyle Europe said: “We are delighted to partner with Eurazeo to support Remo Ruffini and the Moncler Group in their effort to fully capture the strong growth potential of its brand portfolio and to further strengthen and internationalize the company. We are particularly proud of the growth we have supported over the past three years, in which time EBITDA has doubled and store numbers have increased significantly, and we look forward to driving the business with the new partnership.”

Transaction details

The transaction values the Moncler Group at an Enterprise Value of €1.2bn. This Enterprise Value represents a 12x 2010 EBITDA multiple. The closing of the transaction is anticipated in the 3rd quarter 2011.

Telephone conference

Eurazeo will hold a conference call today at 9:30 a.m. (Paris time) to comment on this announcement. The conference call details will be available later.

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About Eurazeo

With a diversified portfolio in excess of 4 billion euros in assets, significant investment capacity and a long-term investment strategy, Eurazeo is one of the leading listed investment companies in Europe. Its mission is to identify the potential and accelerate and enhance the transformation of companies in which it invests. Its solid institutional and family shareholding, its lack of debt and its flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. Eurazeo is the majority or leading shareholder in Accor, ANF Immobilier, APCOA, Edenred, Elis, Europcar, Fraikin and Rexel and holds stakes in Banca Leonardo, Fonroche and Intercos.

Eurazeo’s shares are listed on the Paris Euronext Eurolist. ISIN: FR0000121121 - Bloomberg: RF FP - Reuters: EURA.PA

About Moncler

The Moncler Group is a global multi-brand luxury goods company which conducts the design, creation, marketing and distribution of high-end clothing and accessories. The Group owns the historic Moncler brand and other exclusive brands, such as Henry Cotton’s, Marina Yachting and Coast Weber&Ahaus. It is also a licensee of 18CRR81 Cerruti. The Group operates chiefly in four global geographic areas: Italy, Europe, Asia/Japan and North America. The Moncler brand, founded in 1952, is now active in the luxury market and is among the world leaders in their down jackets combining tradition, modernity and high quality. Moncler’s products range includes the high fashion sector, with collections “Gamme Rouge” and “Gamme Bleu”, characterized by the exclusivity of products and the highly selective distribution. The collection “Main”, Moncler’s core brand range, is structured along men and women in different concepts: archive, sport chic, première and enfant lines.

Eurazeo's Financial Calendar

August 31, 2011 - 1st Half 2011 revenues and results
November 10, 2011 - 3rd Quarter 2011 revenues

Eurazeo contacts, Investor Relations

Carole Imbert
Tel : +33 (0)1 44 15 16 76

Sandra Cadiou
Tel : +33 (0)1 44 15 80 26

Press contacts

Leslie Jung (Image 7)
Tel : +44 2078 334 574
Mob : +44 7818 641 803

For further information, please visit the Eurazeo website: www.eurazeo.com

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